Odaiba

Odaiba Kaihin Koen is a park located on one of the many artificial islands that line the Tokyo waterfront. Other attractions on the island include the Museum of Maritime Science (Fune no Kagakukan), which has restaurants and an excellent view from its ship-shaped building, and the Tokyo International Exposition Center.
The latter gained fame when, as he promised during his campaign, the newly elected Aoshima Yukio (governor of Tokyo), canceled the partly completed massive project. I give him great credit for having the courage to follow through on his promise to scuttle that bloated relic of the bubble economy.
Click the thumbnail pictures to see the full-sized photos

Sunset over Tokyo, shot from near the Museum of Maritime Science Sunset over Tokyo

To give fair credit to the designers, though, there are some striking buildings in the complex; it was just far too expensive to continue the project. Today, the island still retains quite a bit of open space, and a long, pleasant, and not-too-crowded waterfront boardwalk for leisurely walks. It's a wonderful place to get away from it all for a day and enjoy some fresh air and brisk sea breezes while still in the heart of Tokyo.

Cargo cranes on the Oi wharf Across Tokyo Bay, cargo loading cranes sit idle on Shinagawa Ward's Oi wharf at sunset

To go, take the Yuri Kamome Line from JR Shimbashi Station and get off at Odaiba Kaihin Koen Station (1 stop), and enjoy the spectacular view as the train crosses Rainbow Bridge.
Sunset along the seaside walk, near the Museum of Maritime Science Sunset along the seaside walk

Alternatively, you can also take the Keiyo Line to Shin-Kiba, then transfer there (I'll have the name of that line soon) and take it to Ariake Station, then transfer to the Yuri Kamome Line at Ariake Station and take it around the island, getting a complete view of things before getting off at Odaiba Kaihin Koen Station.

Long, river-like fountain This long, river-like fountain lies between the Museum and Odaiba Kaihin Koen, and is near a nice Italian restaurant with a view of the harbor

The Yuri Kamome Line is particularly interesting, though, because it is completely machine controlled; there is no driver, no conductor, and there are usually no station personnel on the platform, either (platform safety is maintained by sliding plexiglass doors that open only after a train has arrived in the station. It is a 100% robotic monorail, and a real technological showpiece.

The sun sinks onto the Tokyo skyline, with a play area and fountain in the foreground The sun sinks over Tokyo
I will post exact fares and number of stops from Shimbashi and Shin-Kiba soon. Thanks for your patience while I research them.

Night view of Rainbow Bridge and the mystery building A night view from the deck of a nice little Italian restaurant, with Rainbow Bridge on the right

This page last updated on July 28, 1997.
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